Development and Implementation of an Individualized Turning Program for Pressure Injury Prevention Using Sensor Technology in Nursing Homes: A Quality Improvement Program

BACKGROUND: Turning nursing home residents every 2 hours has been a long-held standard for pressure injury (PrI) prevention in individuals with mobility impairments although evidence to substantiate this practice is limited. New guidelines recommend personalizing turning schedules to support person-centered care but lack specific recommendations about which turning frequencies are appropriate for various risk levels. PURPOSE: This quality improvement program aimed to determine the feasibility and outcomes of using individualized turn schedules for newly admitted nursing home residents. METHODS: An expert panel of wound clinicians developed, tested, and implemented a turn frequency tool that allowed staff in 2 nursing homes to select a turning schedule of 1, 2, 3, or 4 hours based on resident risk factors. Turning schedules were operationalized using a wearable sensor-based visual cueing technology that alerted staff to resident repositioning needs. Nonparticipating resident data were collected for comparison of Prl incidence. Descriptive statistics were calculated for all covariates. Significance of differences tests were performed as appropriate. RESULTS: Over 7 months, 154 residents had their turn period individualized, with 56% qualifying for 3-hour (Q3H) or 4-hour (Q4H) schedules. Facility-acquired Prl incidence was 94% lower in participants than in nonparticipants (P < .0001). Use of 3-hour and 4-hour intervals saved roughly 21 and 35 minutes of staff time, respectively, per resident per shift. CONCLUSION: Individualizing turning schedules is feasible. Residents with longer turning intervals did not develop PrIs, supporting previous studies about safely extending turning periods for most residents.